Thursday, September 14, 2017, Mission Housing Development Corporation transformed the Laborers Local 261 Hall in San Francisco into a fun environment that entertained scores of professionals, community advocates, and friends of the affordable housing movement.

The Mission Housing Gala, Silent Auction and Community Awards fundraising event celebrated the organization’s 46 years of building and managing affordable housing in San Francisco. Funds raised from sponsorships and ticket sales are still being tallied. Net proceeds will add to The Mission Housing Tenant Health, Wellness and Community Fund, which sustains important no-cost, voluntary on-site supportive services provided to occupants of the 100% affordable housing sites operated by Mission Housing.

The party gets started

“Tonight we celebrate our residents, and our neighbors,” said Sam Moss, Executive Director of Mission Housing, in comments to open the festivities. “Mission Housing has come a long way in 46 years, and we still have a long way to go as we fight to keep San Francisco affordable for as many people as possible.”

The event opened with a cocktail hour, where attendees socialized while enjoying passed appetizers, wine, and stationed dinners. Fogcutter catered the service.

Recognitions, acknowledgements and awards

Joshua Arce, chair of the Mission Housing Board of Directors, opened the award ceremony by thanking those in attendance, and introducing fellow board members.

“We are very grateful for all the support we’ve received from our sponsors and from everyone here,” said Arce. “Thanks to you, we’ve exceeded our fundraising goal!”

Arce shared recognitions sent from the offices of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and state Board of Equalization Board Member Fiona Ma. Arce also acknowledged a few of the elected officials who attended the gala, including District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who delivered a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors declaring September 14, 2017 as “Mission Housing Development Corporation Day.”

District 8 Supervisor Jeff Sheehy took the podium, and read certificates signed by the Board of Supervisors honoring Mission Housing for 46 years of service to the people of San Francisco. Sheehy also presented Moss with a certificate recognizing his six years of leadership at the organization.

Then, Moss and Marcía Contreras, Director of Operations and Resident Services for Mission Housing, introduced the two community leaders recognized at the event.

Dr. Estela Garcia, Executive Director of Instituto Familiar de la Raza (IFR), was unable to attend the ceremony while on medical leave. Accepting the award on her behalf was IFR’s Board President Tyrone Navarro.

Former Mission Housing board member Pete Gallegos, while receiving his award, commented on the beginnings of Mission Housing, and encouraged everyone to continue “…fighting the good fight.” Contreras then brought Mission Housing Office Manager and Operations Assistant Ana Torres to the stage, and surprised her with an award recognizing 30 years of service to Mission Housing.

The fun begins!

After the comments, DJ Ruben Palma Jr. energized the crowd with popular music, and dancing ensued!

One of the most popular features of the gala: A “photo booth,” where party-goers posed with construction-themed props and garb before a green screen. The finished photos showed the portrait subjects super-imposed over scenes from current and future Mission Housing developments. The booth was provided by Giggle and Riot.

“This event celebrates our successes and honors those who make them possible,” Moss said.

The gala is the third Mission Housing fundraiser planned and coordinated by Contreras and Mission Housing staff, with the assistance of Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini. Her company, MB Wedding Design and Events, is a boutique planning and design company servicing Northern California, Southern California, Hawaii and destinations worldwide.

“The values of Mission Housing Development Corporation… resonate deeply with our own values and culture” — Robert Nibbi. Photo: nibbi.com

The Mission Housing Development Corporation fall fundraising event is already on track to be a major success.

Thursday, September 14, 2017 is when the Mission Housing Gala, Silent Auction and Community Awards will be held at the Laborers Local 261 Hall in San Francisco [MAP].

Nibbi Brothers General Contractors has become the Developer level sponsor, contributing $15,000 to the Mission Housing Tenant Health and Wellness Fund.

“The values of Mission Housing Development Corporation – especially their commitment to Community, Integrity and Quality – resonate deeply with our own values and culture.” said Bob Nibbi, President of Nibbi Brothers General Contractors.

“Having worked with together for over 25 years, we are delighted to support Mission Housing’s mission to improve the lives of all San Franciscans through building and maintaining affordable housing.”

Stepping into the Builder level sponsorship with a $10,000 donation to the Mission Housing Tenant Health and Wellness Fund, is Caritas Management Corporation.

“As part of a 35 year relationship with Mission Housing Development Corporation, we are honored to share the same vision of preserving affordable housing, creating stability and enriching lives,” said Devesh Patel, President of Caritas Management Corporation.

“We are very proud of what Mission Housing has provided not only to the Mission District but in the beautiful city of San Francisco as a whole.”

The theme of the event, “46 Years of Building Safe, Empowered, and Resilient Communities” will be the basis for storytelling about Mission Housing residents who’ve recovered from adversity because of the affordable housing and supportive services they received.

Also recognized: Two community leaders who have been empowering voices in the fight to build strong neighborhoods.

“This will be an important celebration of our residents, our neighbors, our vanguards and our future,” said Sam Moss, Executive Director of Mission Housing. “We’ve come a long way in 46 years. One of the most important things to remember is that our accomplishments are about more than construction.”

“This event is our way of celebrating our successes and honoring those who make them possible,” Moss said.

Creating stable, vibrant and healthy communities

Funds raised from sponsorships and ticket sales will strengthen and sustain important Resident Services provided to occupants of the 100% affordable housing sites operated by Mission Housing.

“Our tenants and our neighborhoods thrive because of the free and voluntary on-site supportive services available from Mission Housing,” said Marcía Contreras, Director of Operations and Resident Services at Mission Housing. “The funds we bring in with this event will help stabilize the lives of many families and individuals.”

Photo: YouTube/Arthur Christopher Schaper

Mission Housing will support, at every level, the fight to protect DACA recipients, and all undocumented people

Sam Moss is Executive Director of Mission Housing Development Corporation

In 1971, Mission Housing Development Corporation was founded on the profound strength of the Mission’s immigrant community. To think that 46 years later, some of those same families would be told their children and grandchildren were no longer welcome, and in fact criminalized, makes me sick to my stomach. The current administration’s cruel decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA, flies in the face of America’s values.

Expelling some of our best and brightest youth is more than heartless, it is short-sighted economic policy. Many immigrant children are eager and poised to make great contributions to the fabric of their community and neighborhoods, and to the United States of America.

In times such as these, we should be strengthening younger generations with tools, knowledge, and opportunities. Instead, our government is poised to leave many young people vulnerable, unsafe, and living an uncertain future.

Our community will pull through these troubling times only by coming together. Mission Housing Development Corporation stands with undocumented youth and their families. Mission Housing will support, at every level, the fight to protect DACA recipients, and all undocumented people. And, Mission Housing will, by any means necessary, protect the rights of our residents — and our neighbors – regardless of skin color or point of origin.

If you encounter an issue related to your civil liberties or your safety, feel free to contact us and we will direct you to the resources you need – regardless of whether you reside in a Mission Housing building.